Nick Ashford, a Motown songwriter and part of the duo Ashford & Simpson, has died at age 70. The deceased singer suffered from throat cancer and underwent radiation treatment. Some famous songs credited to the songwriter include but re not limited to, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Reach Out And Touch Somebody’s Hand”, and “You’re All I Need To Get By”. The singer is survived by his wife and two daughters. See: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8321034

It is imperative to recognize the importance of estate planning in the event of a tragic death that is unexpected. If a decedent dies without a last will and testament, the estate is subject to intestacy by the New York Surrogate Court. Under the Estate Planning and Trusts Law (EPTL) 4.1-1, when a person dies without a last will and testament, all distribution, debts, administration expenses and reasonable funeral expenses will be deducted but all estate taxes shall be disregarded. Distribution of the estate shall then be as follows. If a decedent is survived by a spouse and issue, then fifty thousand dollars and one-half of the residue estate will go to the spouse, and the balance remaining will pass to the children. If a spouse dies without children, then the whole estate passes to the spouse. If there is no spouse and no children, then the whole estate will pass to one or both surviving parents. See: http://www.jdbar.com/Statutes/eptl-4-1_1.html

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. recognize the importance of proper estate planning, helping families properly plan estates in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. For questions regarding estate planning, please contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529 or visit the firm’s website at www.lbestatelaw.com

On August 23, 2011, an earthquake of 5.9 magnitude strikes Virginia. Shaking was felt up and down the east coast, from Rhode Island to South Carolina. The earthquake sent thousands of people running out of office buildings across New York City and briefly grounded flights. This is the first major quake to hit New York in decades. New York’s City Hall and police headquarters were evacuated, along with many office buildings. No major harm was done, however, many were shaken after the quake. More than 12 million people may have felt the quake’s sickening sway. Full article.

In the aftermath of a scary event such as this, it is natural to experience a period of reflection on one’s own life. While many people are uncomfortable with the thought of planning their estate, it is important to be ready in case tragedy strikes. There are steps that responsible people can take to ensure that their loved ones are properly taken care of after they are gone. Proper estate planning includes having a valid will, health care proxy, living will, and power of attorney.

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. has helped families properly plan estates in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. For questions regarding estate planning, please contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529 or visit the firm’s website at www.lbestatelaw.com.

Global technology giant 3M has agreed to pay $3 million to a class of former employees and implement preventive measures to resolve a nationwide age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. The EEOC filed a lawsuit against 3M claiming the company laid off hundreds of employees over the age 45. The EEOC also claimed that older employees were denied leadership training and laid off to make way for younger leaders. 3M settled with the EEOC to pay $3 million in damages, as well as implementing new company procedures to prevent this type of discrimination from occurring in the future. Full article.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. The ADEA’s protections apply to both employees and job applicants. Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training. The ADEA permits employers to favor older workers based on age even when doing so adversely affects a younger worker who is 40 or older.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC centers its practice on employment law. Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Recently, Governor Brian Sandoval in Nevada made it illegal to discriminate based on gender. However, gender discrimination will be legalized if the discrimination is for the promotion of a casino pool party, a ladies’ night at a bar, or for gym membership. The law was written so broadly as to include any type of activity which a business designs and labels as a marketing tool. The law takes effect on October 1, 2011.  See: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jul/13/ladies-night-remains-legal/

The law in Nevada states that, “It is not unlawful and it is not a ground for civil action for any place of public accommodation to offer differential pricing, discounted pricing or special offers based on sex to promote or market the place of public accommodation.” A “place of public accommodation” was written to mean that almost any business or public entity which is used by the general public. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC handles many cases in the area of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Our firm has been successful in matters of civil litigation and discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

An Irving Texas developer of housing facility has agreed to pay $50,000 and furnish other relief to settle an age discrimination lawsuit brought by the EEOC.  The Collegiate Development Services’ director of market research expressed to the assistant property manager that Velda Poole, 62 years of age, was too old to connect with the college-age residents. When Poole learned of the comments and reported the comment to higher management, Poole was fired. A settlement between Poole and the Collegiate Development Services will pay $50,000 to the victim and provide training to managers and supervisors on equal employment policies and procedures. Full article.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. The ADEA’s protections apply to both employees and job applicants. Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training. The ADEA permits employers to favor older workers based on age even when doing so adversely affects a younger worker who is 40 or older.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC focuses a large area of practice in the area of employment law.  Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area.  For more information, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

A Houston debt collection has been sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) because it allegedly did not allow an employee from returning to work from maternity leave as she intended to use a breast pump in violation of federal law. The EEOC’s suit was filed in February 2009, when Donnicia Venters who was an account representative for the debt collection agency was not allowed to return to work. Venters was employed with the debt collection agency since March 2006 when she gave birth to a child in 2008, and had taken less than three months of maternity leave before attempting to return to work. Read more: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/6-29-11.cfm

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Additional information about the EEOC can be found at www.eeoc.gov. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants because of their sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions).

The attorneys at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC  have won precedent-setting decisions involving discrimination for clients represented on Long Island, throughout the New York City area and from other parts of the country as well.  For a free consultation, please Contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-5-JOBLAW.